The owner of two properties on Waterville Road that were attacked in Meadow Well has said "we tried everything to calm the situation down before it happened."
On Bonfire Night, riot police were deployed as scenes of violence and disorder broke out. Emergency service workers were attacked as they responded, with police believing the disorder was "pre-arranged." Buildings were set alight and fireworks and missiles were launched as large groups gathered around the Waterville Road area of the estate.
Community Meeting Before the Violence
Developer Urfan Ahned, 49, from Newcastle, has owned the property housing One Stop since 2014, along with a new building under construction set to become a supermarket and privately rented flats. During the disorder, a car was driven into the wall and windows were smashed.
Ahned, who owns multiple properties across the North East, was in his Newcastle office when at around 6.30pm he heard news of the disorder. He said: "It's my first building site in the North East where we've had to put security guards on.
"We got word from them that youths were starting to gather outside throwing stones at the windows and smashing them. It was reported to the police... and they were coming. The youths were just throwing stones and stuff at the emergency vehicles so it was hard for officers to do their jobs."
Prior to the disorder, Ahned last week took part in a community meeting organised with Northumbria Police. He said: "We tried everything to calm the situation down before it happened."
"About 70 residents turned up and I answered questions: 'What are you going do with it [the building]?', 'Why are you doing this?', And I believe I answered them correctly and I alleviated the community's concerns that it was not going to be a migrant hostel, it was not going to be an HMO. It's private rented properties. I believe 95% left satisfied."
Misinformation and Social Media
Northumbria Police suspect the disorder stemmed from "misinformation in the community" about the future of the building. Signs hung on the now torched building read: 'Our Promise To Community of Meadowell No Asylum Seeks Will Be Housed Here' and had been in place for over three weeks following residents' concerns.
Ahned said: "We started to get feedback from residents annoyed walking past and we felt some sort of hatred there and then a rumour went out it was going to be an asylum hostel and we started getting our windows smashed.
"We thought a few windows could be replaced no problem, and again they got smashed. So we boarded them up and I asked around what was the problem, so I put banners up to the community. We didn't have to do that but we did to tell people but sometimes people just don't want to listen to the truth."
He added: "But it's just so much hate and vengeance in that area. It's really distressing. As a developer, we and Northumbria Police, have tried everything to calm people's fears, but you've got certain aspects on social media who just need to spread one lie and it just spreads like wildfire."
Impact on the New Store
A Heron Foods was due to open in the next 7-8 weeks after completion of the nine-month build. "But unfortunately they've smashed a car through the wall and set fire to it," Ahned said. As a result of smoke damage needing to be assessed, cleared and refurbed, the shop won't open until after Christmas.
Ahned, who has done community cohesion work in and around Newcastle and helped organise a counter-protest on Westgate Road in 2024 against riots, said: "We try to get as much as we can to the community, we do try to help Newcastle and give back to our city.
"We're not going anywhere, we're in there for the long run. We have vast property interests across the North East and that is our job to develop sites. We've had One Stop and the flats above since 2014. While we were renovating that it was robbed and set on fire but that didn't deter us. We're in it for the long run and we've gave the community of Meadow Well an asset."
He also called for a ban on fireworks in North Shields, saying: "Last year there was a problem with fireworks in Meadow Well again. I really believe the sale of fireworks should be banned in North Shields as two years running we've had massive problems and it's not fair on the emergency services who are doing their job to protect the public.
"It's not fair on the actual residents who live in the Meadow Well, they're lovely people. Today a young girl was walking past and she said I'm really sorry for what's happened. It's just a shame because when you see so much hate and division."
Ahned commended the bravery of Northumbria Police officers who last night created a shield around the building. He said: "They have families, they have work, they only do the shift and get their wages but they have fireworks and stones throne at them and people were really abusive to the emergency services, who were there to protect.
"Its disgraceful the funds it's cost could have been used for community services but is being wasted on pointless crime."
Despite the disorder, Ahned said he won't be deterred: "We won't get intimidated or scared by sporadic violence, we're bigger than that. I've been in this community since I was born and gave my blood, sweat and tears to Newcastle Upon Tyne and I will carry on doing so."
He also gave his thanks to all who attended the meeting, adding: "It was very encouraging to see how the residents care for Meadow Well."
